A plan for a safer city
Our mission is to reduce violence and promote professional, personal and academic achievement among urban youth. We serve young people on a direct path to gang involvement, former and active gang members, and young victims of domestic abuse through the sport of Olympic Lifting. We work to empower young people with the confidence to say no to violence and yes to opportunity.
Strategy for Impact
We provide our students with career opportunities working for InnerCity Weightlifting and in the field of personal training. We provide frequent adult mentorship, and academic support. Counseling services are offered through several of our partnering organizations. The training not only assists sport performance, but also increases confidence, motivation, and may increase learning skills through cognitive development.
Why Weightlifting
These students want to become bigger, stronger, and faster. They want to participate in weightlifting. The sport, coaches, and training atmosphere, however, facilitate positive change. As a student attempts to set a new personal record (PR) for weight lifted, everyone stops and watches. The lifters help 'pump up' the student's morale and something unexpected happens: children, who have been given limited support outside of a gang, are now encouraging each other. They bond and a team is formed. They gain the confidence needed to succeed despite the odds.